Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-15

teTEuptlOn IN business ana loss caused by
a glusted domestic market, and affording
heir employees more certain and steady
labor, with its resulting quiet and con-
teatment The question thus imperatively
presented for solution should be
approached in a spirit higher than parti-
sanship, and considered in the light of
that regard for patriotic duty, which
should characterize the action of those
intrusted with the wealth Of confding
people. But the obligation to declared
party policy and principle Is not wanting
to urge prompt and effective action.
Both of the great political parties now
represented III the government have, by
repeated and authoritative declarations
condemned the condition of the
laws which permit the collection from
the people of unnecessary revenue, and
have in tie most solemn manner promis-
ed Us correction, and neither As citizens
or partisans are our countrymen IN
mood TO condone the deliberate violation
Of these pledges. Our progress toward
a wise conclusion will best be improved
by dwelling upon the theories of protec-
ton and free trade. This saYors TOO
much of bandying epithets. 1t is con-
dition which confronts Us not theory.
Relief from this condition may involve
slight reduction of the advantages
which we award our home productions,
but the entire withdrawal o. such advan-
tages should not be contemplated. The
question of the free trade is
INFANT INDUSTRIES.
We are in the midst of our centennial
celebration, and with becoming pride we
rejoice in American skill and ingenuity,
IN American energy and enterprise, aud
III the wonderful natural advantages and
resources developed by a century of ma
tional growth. Yet when an attempt is
made to justify scheme which permits
tax to be laid upon every consumer in
the land for the benefit OF our mauufac-
turers quite beyond reasonable demand
for governmental regard, il suits the pur-
poses of these manufacturers to main
tain that these "infant industries" still
need the highest and greatest degree of
favor and care that can be w1png from
federal legislation.
ABSOLUTELY IRRELEVANT,
and the persistent claims made in certain
quarters that all efforts to relieve the
people from unjust and unnecessary tax
alton are schemes of so-calIed free trad
ers, is mlschievous, and far removed from
So&AGANOAa VAOil III tnO puOllC ROOu.
The simple and plain duty which we owe
the people is to reduce taxation to the
necessary expenses of an economic
operation of the government, and
to restore to the business of the
country the money which we hold
in tha treasury through the per-
version of governmental powers. These
things can and should bs done with safety
to allow industries without danger to the
opportunity of renumerative labor which
our workingmen need and with benefit to
them and all our people by cheapening
their means of subsistence and increas-
ing the measure of their comforts. The
constitution provides that the president
shall from time to time give the congress
information of
THE STATE OF THE UNION.
1t has been the custom of the execu-
tives in com plianee with these provisions
to annually exhibit to the congress at the
opening of its session the general con-
dition of the country and to detail with
some particuarity, the Operations of the
different executive departments. 1t
would be especially agreeable to follow
call attention to the valuable accomplish
llcubS VI 1n5Sc O0p6E oUIAuS ehO
last fiscal year. But 1 am SO much i'm
pressed with the paramount importance
Of the subject to which this communica-
ton has thus far been devoted that l shall
forego the addition of any topic and
only urge upon your Immediate consid-
Grafton the state of the union, as shown
in the present condition of our treasury,
and our general fiscal situation, upon
which every element of our safety and
prosperity depends. The reports of the
heads of departments which will be sub
mitted, contain full and explicit inform
alton touching the transactions of the
business intrusted to them, and such rec
omendations relating to legislation in
the public interest as they deem advisa-
bic. [ ask for these reports and recon-
mendations, the deliberate examination
and action Of the legislative branch of
the government. There are other sub
jocts not embraced in the departmental
reports demanding legislative considera-
tien, and which I should be glad to sub
NIT. Some, however, have been earnest
ly presented in previous messages,
and, as to them, I beg leave to
repeat prior recommendations. AS
the law makes no provision for
any report from the department
of state, brief history of the transactions
of that important department, together
bee deemed essential to commend to the
attention of the congress, may furnish
the occasion for future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND,
Washington, Dec. 6, 1887.